Some people have home tiki bars, some people have a tiki bedroom (like me) and artist Dale Sizer has a tiki condo! Dale’s Hollywood condo is filled with Hawaiian themed art, tikis and a little bit of mcm thrown in for good measure. Welcome to the Bongo Condo…
What brought you into the tiki lifestyle and how long has it been part of your life?
Dale- Tiki style and awareness has been a part of my life since I was a kid.
I discovered souvenir tiki god pendants, at the Owens Beach Souvenir Shop, in Tacoma, where I grew up, and I was hooked. Anything tropical or nautical seemed to fascinate me. TV shows, “Adventures in Paradise “and “Hawaiian Eye” glamorized the beach/ native style and I lapped it up like a cool Mai Tai. Later on, it was vintage Hawaiian shirts and tropical decor. I had a tall ‘prop’ palm tree in my first art studio in Seattle, and painted palm trees on my saddle shoes.
Can you give a little history of how it all came together? Any story behind the name of your bar?
Dale- When I moved to Hollywood, I discovered swap meets and started picking up tiki gods and other exotica for my apartment. A trip to Hawaii inspired me to go with bamboo wall coverings, and that theme continues to this day, at my ‘Bongo Condo’.
What is your favorite Tiki bar and Tiki drink?
Dale- I didn’t experience a Tiki Bar until I moved to Los Angeles. Tiki Ti, Kelbo’s and Trader Vic’s were exciting discoveries. Tiki Ti, is still around, thankfully. I like their ‘Bahaianian’ drink.”
Dave Sizer’s Website
All photos by Cathye Carnes
